AZ SB1400

Allows school districts and charter schools in grades 9-12 to award one elective credit per year for student-requested, parent-approved course equivalents beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

Qualifying activities for course equivalent credit include working at least 5 hours per week, participating in organized sports (including off-campus and club sports), participating in STEM clubs or internships, community arts, and completing courses at Arizona universities, community colleges, or approved private institutions.

Course equivalent credits count as currently required elective credits toward graduation requirements and do not need to meet the standard 123 instructional hours per year requirement.

Instructional hours from course equivalents are included in average daily membership calculations, though full-time high school students completing course equivalents may not exceed 1.0 average daily membership.

State board of education must adopt a framework for implementing the program and post lists of nonprofits and vendors where out-of-school experiences are recognized; school districts and charter schools must establish processes for considering course equivalent requests during enrollment periods.